SUNDAY, March 13, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- Millions of Americans, especially diabetics, use syringes to self-inject medications, often on a daily basis. Now, safe ways to dispose of used needles are outlined in two new pamphlets from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), both available online.
It's estimated that about 8 million to 9 million people in the United States use medicinal syringes, disposing of a total of 3 billion needles a year.
Community drop-off programs, household hazardous waste facilities, at-home needle destruction devices, and mail-back programs are among the safe disposal suggestions listed in the EPA pamphlets.
The pamphlets were developed in collaboration with the Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposal, which includes community groups, nonprofit associations, businesses and local, state and federal government bodies that promote public awareness of the hazards posed by improper disposal of needles.
More information
Here's where you can find the EPA pamphlets.
